Emergency Management Office weighs pros and cons of mobile software response program
CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Emergency Management Office is considering new software that may allow its department heads to more effectively coordinate members in emergency situations.
At a meeting of the county’s Safety and Rules Committee earlier this month, Chenango Emergency Management Director Matthew Beckwith explained that the “IAmResponding” software system will let him and other members of the department know immediately who is responding to calls and dispatches, where they’re responding, and when they will be responding.
The program, which can be downloaded as an app on department members’ cell phones, could help save critical time and reduce response times for fire departments, EMS agencies, SAR and technical rescue teams, and any other incident response teams when responding to emergencies.
“One of the struggles we have is that we have several members from various departments,” Beckwith said, noting that people of different departments serve on special response teams for the county, such as the HazMat team and search and rescue team. “Sometimes we have a tough time knowing if they’re coming and when.”
According to Beckwith, a test-run of the IAmResponding system will help him determine if the benefits are worth the investment. The department has a chance to pilot the program for free for two months before deciding on a more long-term contract.
“I’m skeptical of it myself,” said Beckwith, “but if we decide that it is something that’s worthwhile, the cost is $810 per year, and that’s based on call volume.”
The department has two options to pay for the program. It can either use money from its annual budget, or apply money received through federal homeland security grants.
IAmResponding is already being used by some local departments, including the Smyrna Fire Department.
“It’s helped them,” said Smyrna Supervisor Michael Khoury. “I think it’s something that the county should give a shot.”
IAmResponding is entirely web-based, so there is no software for the department to download or configure. According to the company’s website, departments can know immediately if they have a full crew on the way or if they need to page additional personnel. Moreover, they’ll know who’s responding to the station or on the scene.
The software includes integrated maps and live mapping, voice and visual navigation to the scene, hydrant and water source mapping, marker icons for obstacles like road and bridge closures or weight restrictions, apparatus tracking, incident reporting, and interactive calendars for users.
Because the Emergency Management Office would need to enter a contract for continued use of the IAmResponding system after the free trial, it would require approval of the County Board of Supervisors.
At a meeting of the county’s Safety and Rules Committee earlier this month, Chenango Emergency Management Director Matthew Beckwith explained that the “IAmResponding” software system will let him and other members of the department know immediately who is responding to calls and dispatches, where they’re responding, and when they will be responding.
The program, which can be downloaded as an app on department members’ cell phones, could help save critical time and reduce response times for fire departments, EMS agencies, SAR and technical rescue teams, and any other incident response teams when responding to emergencies.
“One of the struggles we have is that we have several members from various departments,” Beckwith said, noting that people of different departments serve on special response teams for the county, such as the HazMat team and search and rescue team. “Sometimes we have a tough time knowing if they’re coming and when.”
According to Beckwith, a test-run of the IAmResponding system will help him determine if the benefits are worth the investment. The department has a chance to pilot the program for free for two months before deciding on a more long-term contract.
“I’m skeptical of it myself,” said Beckwith, “but if we decide that it is something that’s worthwhile, the cost is $810 per year, and that’s based on call volume.”
The department has two options to pay for the program. It can either use money from its annual budget, or apply money received through federal homeland security grants.
IAmResponding is already being used by some local departments, including the Smyrna Fire Department.
“It’s helped them,” said Smyrna Supervisor Michael Khoury. “I think it’s something that the county should give a shot.”
IAmResponding is entirely web-based, so there is no software for the department to download or configure. According to the company’s website, departments can know immediately if they have a full crew on the way or if they need to page additional personnel. Moreover, they’ll know who’s responding to the station or on the scene.
The software includes integrated maps and live mapping, voice and visual navigation to the scene, hydrant and water source mapping, marker icons for obstacles like road and bridge closures or weight restrictions, apparatus tracking, incident reporting, and interactive calendars for users.
Because the Emergency Management Office would need to enter a contract for continued use of the IAmResponding system after the free trial, it would require approval of the County Board of Supervisors.
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